Jonson Clarke-Harris’ second goal in as many games gave gutsy Coventry City a hard-earned point at Mansfield.

Mark Robins’ team played with ten men for virtually the entire game and had to come back from a goal down.

Robins elected to make two changes to the side which performed bravely at Brighton.

Michael Doyle came back into midfield and Rod McDonald was restored to the heart of the defence.

The centre half needed a new partner within a quarter hour of the game kicking off though.

Sky Blues had just seen a low shot from Clarke-Harris saved at one end when the ball was thumped down the middle to the other.

Jordan Willis struggled as it flew over his head and Danny Rose was on to it. The defender tangled with Rose and as the last man was instantly dismissed.

Alex McDonald took the resultant free kick from inside the D and watched as his drive was deflected off Hemmings’ heels and into the opposite corner.

Hemmings missed with a free header from eight yards just before half time.

The Oxford loan man should have made it 2-0 just after the hour but was denied by a low save from Lee Burge.

The visitors hit the post in the 67th minute when the excellent Ryan Haynes broke free.

And they levelled with 19 minutes to go after MacDonald bundled over Clarke-Harris.

The striker picked himself and converted the spot-kick.

WHAT THE MANAGER SAID

Coventry City boss Mark Robins believes his side ‘dismantled’ Mansfield and deserved their point at the One Call Stadium.

“It was a good point, with 11 players on the pitch we win the game. I think we have done really well,” Robins said.

“They are a good side, they have got some good players in the team. They have spent an absolute fortune, they have been the pre-season favourites and really we have dismantled them.

“We have done a terrific job tactically and I thought we were really good against a good side.

“The players have done brilliantly. It’s a tough place to come at the best of times.

“We have been on the back of a three game losing streak and we have got to come to this place, go to Wycombe and Lincoln at home at the weekend.

“It’s now stand-up time. You have got to stand up to it - and they have done it today, they were outstanding today.

“It’s 13 games and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Robins also reserved praise for Clarke-Harris who having been brought down picked himself up and assumed responsibility for the penalty.

He also had to deal with gamesmanship from Stags goalkeeper Conrad Logan.

“He just turned away from the goalkeeper, he didn’t look, didn’t get involved in the ridiculous antics that you see on the touchline and you see in the team and some of the players and just buried in brilliantly.”

OPPOSITION VIEW

Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans launched astonishing attacks on Coventry boss Mark Robins and referee Michael Salisbury after the Stags shared the points with the Sky Blues on Saturday.

“We’ve had good chances, half chances, full chances,” Evans said.

“But why don’t we win the game? Because the referee gives a penalty which he’s entitled to do. I’m speaking with the benefit of looking at it back - it’s not a penalty.

“But if he gives that, he must give the one on Ricky Miller, where there is a push.

“And the handball is in the box by half a yard.

“The referee has been shocking and he’ll be marked accordingly.

“He’s given a very soft penalty at one end and not two concrete penalties at the other.

“He allows the boy Doyle to stay on the pitch when he’s kicked the ball away, even though he’s already on a caution, and his excuse is to come and give me a stage one warning.

“I thought he was horrendous. He shouldn’t officiate at this level, he’s just come up - now go back to where he belongs.

The Scot was also furious at what he deemed “abuse” from Robins aimed at Stags player Danny Rose, who Evans believes was also the subject of similar treatment from Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson.

He went on to add that Robins “absolutely slaughtered” Rose and that he’d speak with his opposing number about the event.

“We appeal for everything, but I tell you what we don’t do - we don’t abuse opposition players on the field of play,” he continued.

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“That’s the second time - Gary Johnson has done it with Rose, and I’ve just watched Robins, little Robins, the manager who thinks he should be the manager of England, absolutely slaughtering Danny Rose on the field of play - ignored.

“We’ll raise that with the authorities, that’s two managers that have done it.

“That’s the Gary Johnson who called my assistant manager names, and then squeaked when the FA went to him.

“I’m absolutely furious - but credit to Coventry players, I’m not faulting their players, they’ve run to the end for their team, they’ve put bodies on the line, the supporters were tremendous, the atmosphere was like a play-off game.

“We’re going to have counter attacks when they’ve got players like [Marc] McNulty, [Jonson] Clarke-Harris and [Michael] Doyle on big money, and little squeaky Robins, who says that they don’t do all that stuff.

“Just leave my players alone Robins, I’ll be speaking to you myself.”

FAN REACTION

Paul Swift: good point need to beat Wycombe away and Luton and Lincoln to keep the dream alive

Nigel Baggaley: 2 points lost .. Mansfield were no where near half their best today. Haynes loses the ball consistently. I am not knocking him they are all as bad.